Quincy Jones, the music industry giant behind some of the world’s most memorable records, died on Sunday, 3 November 2024. He was 91.
Quincy Jones dies: What’s the cause of death?
Jones died peacefully at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, with family by his side.
According to his publicist, Arnold Robinson, Jones had been dealing with health complications, though no specific cause has been revealed at this time.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we share the news of our father’s passing,” the family said in a statement.
“Though we are heartbroken, we celebrate the extraordinary life he led.”
Quincy Jones biography
Born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. on 14 March 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, Jones’ life was one of resilience and creativity.
A trumpet player in his youth, he moved from performing to arranging for jazz icons like Frank Sinatra and quickly established himself as a groundbreaking producer.
Jones broke barriers in the music industry, becoming the first African American vice-president at Mercury Records in 1961.
His musical journey spanned numerous genres, from jazz to pop and film scores.
As the architect behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Jones cemented his status as a music powerhouse, producing the highest-selling album in history.
His collaborations included music legends like Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, and his compositions graced movies like The Colour Purple, for which he was an Oscar nominee.
Through his Qwest Productions, Jones also influenced television, producing the hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and launching the jazz-focused Qwest TV in 2017.
Jones was the recipient of numerous honours, including 28 Grammy Awards and the Grammy Legend Award.
His philanthropic work was equally significant; he founded the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation, building homes in South Africa and empowering youths worldwide.
He also produced the iconic charity single We Are the World, a project that raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief.
Reactions to Quincy’s death
The news of Jones’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from stars across the world.
Here are some of the reactions we picked online:
